Gas regulator



M. H. GROVE GAS REGULATOR May 16, 1939.

2 sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed April 16, 1932 INI/FNTOR. /V/w/y H 62am- BY 2 svheets-synet 2 ATTORNEYS.

May 16, 1939. MA H. GROVE GAS REGULATOR original Filed April 16,- 1932 z ,di

sllmmlls Patented May 16, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE aisaoss GAS REGULATOR ,Application April 16, l1,932, serial No. 605,667

Renewed July 5, 1938 15 claims. (ci. sli-'12) This invention relates generally to gas regulators such as are employed to control flow of gas or elastic fluids from a relatively high pressure source to a point of demand where a generally lower pressure is required.

It is an object of the invention to devise va gas regulator in which variations in the temperature of thegas will be taken into account, to automatically modify the regulating action. For example in regulating flow of natural or artificial fuel gas, the invention can be employed to deliver gas at substantially constant density at the point of demand.

It is a further object of the invention to devise a gas regulator which will be relatively sensitive in responding to variations in the demand. particularly when the demand suddenly ceases.

A further object of the invention is to provide a regulator of simple construction which can be readily manufactured, and which will be reliable for a variety of services.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth in detail'in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the appended claims are to be accorded a range of equivalents consistent with the state of the prior art.

Figure l is a side elevational view, in cross section, illustrating a device incorporating the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail, taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational-viewjin cross sec- I tion, illustrating a modined form of pilot valvel means for use with the regulator of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional detail taken along the line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 isa cross sectional detail taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a .diagrammatic view illustrating the manner in which my regulator can be employed in a fuel gas distribution system, including a gas displacement meter.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the apparatus illustrated therein consists of a hollow body I0, provided with inflow and outflow openings II and I2. Inow opening II is adapted to be connected to a conduit or pipe I3, leading to a source of gas under pressure, while outflow opening I2 is adapted to .be connected to a conduit I4, leading to a point of gas demand. For

convenience in manufacture and assembly, body J, lIll is shown formed -of separate lower, intermediate and upper parts numbered I6, I1 and I8 respectively.

Disposed within the valve body I0, in such a manner as to control flow of' gas between the inflow and outflow openings, I provide orifice .ring 2| is mounted. Arranged above the seat ring 2l there is a movable valve member 22, in the form of a disc. face of disc 22, there is a facing 23 made of suitable material, such as a non-metallic composition, which will form a fluid tight seal when in engagement with the upper annular surface of the ring 2I.

In order to guide valve member 22 in its movements toward and away from the seat 2|, it is shown mountedupon the lower end of a stem 24, and this stem extends through a suitable guide bearing 26. Guide bearing 26 can be formed as an integral portion of the lower body part I6.

Arranged above the valve member 22 and serving as a part of the actuating means for effecting movements of valve member 22, there is a diaphragm 21, made of suitable flexible material such as resilient vulcanized rubber or thin sheet metal. As suitable means forvconnecting diaphragm 21 to valve member 22, I have shown a pair of spiders 28 engaging oppositesides of the diaphragm, the centers of these spiders, together with the centers of diaphragm 21, being apertured to accommodate a tube 29. Cap 3l threaded to the upper end of tube 29, and a nut 32 likewise threaded upon this tube, serve to clamp spiders 28 upon opposite sides of the diaphragm. The lower end of tube 29 is secured to a rod or pin 33, and the lower end of this pin is secured to the upper end of stem 24.

In order to properly retain the outer peripheral edge portion of diaphragm 21, the intermediate body part I1 is enlarged to form a flange 36. The outer peripheral edge portion of diaphragm 21 is interposed between the upper surface of flange 36, and acorresponding annular surface formed on the upper body part I8. Body parts I1 and I8 can be secured together by suitable means, such as bolts or cap screws. 'I'he body is so formed as to provide spaces Il and 39 upon opposite sides of diaphragm 21, and these spaces form gas chambers as will be presently explained.

Gas chamber, 3l is preferably sealed with re'- spect to leakage of gas from the inflow opening II about the valve stem 24. Thus for this pur- Mounted upon the lower posethere is shown a diaphragm 48, made of suitable material such as resilient vulcanized rubber, having its outer peripheral portion clamped between opposed surfaces formed on body parts I6 and I1. The center of ydiaphragm 39is apertured to accommodate pin 33, and is secured to pin 33 by suitable means such as nuts 4I, inr conjunction with sealing washers 42.

Communicating with the upper gas chamber 39 there is a. gas passage 43, which is shown connected to a tube or pipe 44. As will be presently explained, it is the 'venting of passage 43 which 25 direct communication through one or more ilow restricting orifices,l to permit flow of gas between the same. Such communication can be conveniently afforded by providing cap 3| with an orifice 53, communicating between chamber 39 and the interior 54 of tube 29. A plurality of apertures or orices 56, afford communication between the interior 54 of tube 29l and gas chamber 38.

Valve member 22 and its associated parts, together with its actuating means described above, can be termed primary valve means, and vis utilized in conjunction with secondary pilot valve means adapted to control venting of passage 4.3 and pipe 44. While various pilot valve means can be utilizedv with good results, the particular means illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is desirable in that its controlling action is automatically modiiiedfin accordance with temperature changes of the gas being regulated. 'Ihis pilot valve means as illustrated consists of a lbody 58, formed for convenience of upper and lower parts 59 and Il. Mounted within the body part 6I there is a stationary valve seat 62 in the form of a ring, with which a movable pilot valve member 63 cooperates. Valve member 63 is suitably guided for movements toward and away from valve seat 82,

(as in the modiiication of Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive to be presently described) and is preferably biased towards seat 62 by means of a compression spring 64. It can be providedA with an upper facing 65 of nonmetallic material to facilitate proper sealing engagement with seat 62.- A passage 66 formed in body part 6I, communicates between pipe 44 and the passage thru seat 62. Gas per- .mitted to flow thru seat 62 is delivered to the outflow conduit I4, through pocket 61, passage 68, and passage 69.

- As a part of the actuating means for effecting opening and closing movements of pilot valve 83, I provide a diaphragm 1 I, which can be made composite as illustrated. Thus in this case the diaphragm consists of two flexible sheets 12 and 13, made of suitable-,material such as resilient rubber, having their peripheral edge portions clamped betweenthe body parts 59 and 6I. 'I'he inner portions of sheets 12 and 13 are shown spaced by rigid plate 14, which in turn is connected to the pilot valve member 63 by means of rods 16.

Body 58 is so formed as to provide gas chambers and 18 upon opposite sides of diaphragm 1I.

Chamber 11 is in communication with the outflow conduit I4, thru tube 19, while chamber 18 is adapted to contain a predetermined quantity of trapped gas. To enable introduction of additional quantities of gas into chamber 18, from the iniiowv side of the regulator, I provide ducts 8I and 82 to establish'communication between chamber 18 and gas passage 66, and which are adapted to be controlled by the needle valves 83 and 84. To enable the venting of gas from chamber 18 to the atmosphere, I provide ducts 86 and 81, communicating between chamber 18 and the atmosphere, and adapted to be controlled by the needle valve 88. When all of the needle valves 83, 84 and 88 are closed, a quantity of gas is vtrapped in chamber 18, and it is this gas which exerts a downward force upon diaphragm 1I, tending to open pilot valve 63.

With the modification of Figs. 1 and 2, diaphragm 1I is so formed that it is capable of transferring heat from the gas in chamber 11, to the trapped gas in chamber 18. In order that surrounding atmospheric conditions should have little effect upon the temperature of gas in chamber 18, body part 59 is provided with a layer 9I of heat insulating material.

Operation of the device described above can* best be explained by irst assuming that a conconduit I3 is connected to a source of gas under a pressure generally substantially greater than the pressure required upon the outiiow side. Under such conditions the pilot valve member 63 continuously flutters between open and closed positions, at a rate which in certain actual emj bodiments has approximated 25 to 50 complete cycles per second. Primary valve member 22 takes a mean position some place betweenfull open and closed positions, as determined vby the degree of exing of diaphragm 21. A continual flow of gas from the inflow side occurs through pipe 41, into chambers 38 and 39, through orifices 49 and 5I. A continual flow of gas also occurs directly between chambers 38 and 39, through oriiices 56 and 53, and a continual venting of gas occurs from chamber 39, thru passage 43, pipe 44, pilot valve seat 62, passages 61, 68'and 69, and thence to the outflow conduit I4. Due to the repeated iiuttering movements of pdlot valve member 63, pressure conditions in chambers 38 and 39 are continually changing, and therefore a slight amount of movement of 'diaphragm and main valve member 22 takes place in synchronism but out of phase with the movements of pilot valve member 63. In general however the repeated movements of pilot valve member 63, are in effect largely integrated because of the mass of lthe main valve member .and the parts moving -Pilot valve member 63 continually flutters, for

the reason that it is in a state of labile equilibrium with respect to resilient forces acting upon the same. These forces include the uid forces acting downwardly upon diaphragm 1I by virtue of the gas trapped in chamber 18, uid forces acting upwardly upon diaphragm 1l by virtue of gas in chamber 11, the bias of spring 64 in the event this spring is employed, and fluid forces acting directly upon pilot valve member 63 by virtue of gas pressure in passage 66.- 'Ihe lower open end of tube 19 is likewise in fairly close proximity to the outow side of the primary valve seatdl, so

= that gas pressure waves, superposed upon the continuous flow of gas, created by virtue of the ut tering of main valve member 22, can react upwardly through tube 19, and upon the lower side of diaphragm ll.

If the operating conditions assumed above are changed, as for example by decreasing the demand of gas from conduit It, the effect is to cause pilot valve member 63 yto automatically eiectiyely reduce the mean rate of venting. of gas through passage t3. Reducing the mean rate of venting of gas through passage d3, causes a, relatively higher pressure to be built up in chamber 3S, so that diaphragm 2l is fiexed downwardly to cause the main valve member 2E to assume a new position in which it offers a greater restriction to the flow of gas through the main valve seat 2 l. Like, wise if the demand upon the outow conduit ld is increased, the reaction upon pilot valve member 6d causes the main valve member 22 to assume a new mean position in which it aders less restriction to the flow of gas through primary seat El.

In the event of a sudden shutdown, that is a sudden cessation oi demand, pressure in outflow conduit iii tends to increase and a corresponding increase of gas pressure in chamber il immediately causes diaphragm 1d to flex upwardly, to maintain pilot valve member d3 in closed position. Interruption of the venting of passage 43 likewise immediately causes pressure to buildup in cham-v ber 39, to edect movement of primary valve member 22 to closed position. It should be noted that to effect complete closing of the main valve mern= ber 22, the gas pressure in chamber 39 need not build up to a Value substantially equal to that ci the inow pressure to the regulator. This is for the reason that to ex diaphragm 2l downwardly, pressure in chamber d@ need only balance the pressure in chamber 3d, and the pressure in chamber de at the instant a shutdown is effected is substantially less than the incw' pressure to the regulator, due to the continual ilow through. orifices 53 and 5t. It is for this reason that my device is not sluggish in responding to a cessation oi demand, but responds immediately to quickly close the main valve member, and thus prevent the building up of too .high a pressure in the outow conduit. I likewise largely attribute the sensitivity of my device to changes in the demand, and to changes in the differential pressure between the inow and outow sides, to the fact that chambers 38 and i@ both have restricted communication with the inflow side of the device and are in direct restricted communication.

During periods when there is no gas demand. upon outow conduit It, the pressures in chambers 3d and 39 assume a value substantially equal to the infiow pressure to the device. If a demand is now placed' upon outow conduit ii, pilot valve' "i9 and a flexing of'diaphragm 2l upwardly to open valve member'lZZ.

If it is desired to adjust the pressure level in the outow side, this is accomplished byv varying the amount of trapped gas in 1re-1;. 1 1u,

In the above discussion of the mode of operation, referencerhas been made only to the gen-l eral flow regulating characteristics of the device. If the temperature'of trapped gas in chamber 18 remains substantially constant, thenA the regulation will be such that the pressure oi the gas upon the outiiow side of the device will be maintained substantially constant, independent- 1y of variations in the demand, and independently of variations in the differential pressure between the inflow and outflow openings. Obviously this will not hold true for abnormal conditions, as for example where the demand upon the outflow side is at a maximum, and the source of gas under pressure is inadequate to maintain an inow gas pressure somewhat greater than the pressure den sired upon the outflow side. 'Under such abs normal conditions bbth the pilot valve member 63, andthe main valve member 22, remain in fudi open position. In certain types of service. parfa ticularly where the device is utilized for regulat= ing.flow of natural or artificial fuel gas to a point of consumption, the temperature of the gas may vary between wide limits. If a constant presn sure regulator is utilized under such conditions, the density of the fuel gas upon the outflow side must necessarily vary in accordance with tein= perature changes. With my device action of the pilot valve means is automatically-modified, in accordance with such temperature changes, to deliver gas upon the outflow side at a substan= tially constant density, rather than at a con stant pressure. This is by virtue of the fact that diaphragm H will effect an exchange of heat bera tween the gases in `chambers 11 and 18, so that the temperature of the trapped gas in chamber 'F8 will always approm'mate the temperature of the gas in chamber Ti. 'The temperature oi the gas in chamber 'li is likewise substantially the Asame as the temperature of the gas in the outflow conduit lc. Thus if the temperature of the outn iiow gas increases by a certain amount, an. cnmv change of heat occurs thru diaphragm 1 I, to ccr= respondingly increase the temperature of the trapped gas in chamber ll. Thus the trapped gas will tend to exert a greater uid pressure downwardly'upon diaphragm 1I, to modify acm tuation of pilot valve 63 accordingly. The net result is to cause a somewhat higher pressure to be maintained in outflow conduit I4, to maintain the density of the fuel gas in this conduit sub-= stantially constant. Likewise a lowering of the temperature oi the gas in chamber 18 responsive to a lowering of the temperature of the outdow gas, causes a lesser pressure to be maintained in outflow conduit lli to maintain the density of the gas constant. insulating jacket 9| tends to isolate chamber ld from the surrounding at mosphere, so that the temperature of the trapped gas may fairly closely approximate the tempera= ture of the outiiow gas.

The utility of a device Vwhich will regulate flow of gas to secure substantially constant`density of gas upon the outflow side, can be deman:z strated more clearly by reference to Fig. 6. In this case the device of Fig. 1 has been represented diagrammatically at s3, and the iniiow and outflow connections-to the same are indicated by lines' 9d and 96. The outflow gas from line s@ is shown passed through a volumetric displacementl metering device s1, the outiiow side o which is connected to a point of demand et by line 99. The point .of demand 98 can be represene tative of a fuel gas burner. For la given flow lli Bill

constant density, and therefore constant B. t. u. value, will be supplied. Likewise the readings of the 'displacement meter 91, will be correct irrespective of temperature variations in the fuel gas. In prioro fuel gas distribution systems, utilizing constant pressure regulating devices and ordinary displacement meters, it has been necessary to correct the reading of the meter in accordance with temperature changes in the fuel gas, in order to make an accurate determination of the amount of gas actually delivered to the point of demand.

In Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive, there is shown amodiflcation of the pilot valve means incorporated in the device of Fig, 1. In this instance, in place of relying on heat transfer through diaphragm' 1|, the walls of the trapped gas chamber are blanketed with outflow gas. Thus in this case the body |0|, is likewise for convenience formed of upper and lower separable parts |02 and |03. Mounted within body part |03, there is alpilot valve seat |04, adapted to cooperate with a movable valve member. |06. This valve member is shown biased toward closed position by means of compression spring |01. Passageway |08 leads to the inflow of pilot valve sea-t |04, and serves to communicate with pipe 44. A composite diaphragm |09 is arranged above pilot valve member |06, and has its peripheral edge /portions clamped between the body partsv |02 and |03. A perforated plate ||0 is mounted above the diaphragm to prevent undue upward flexing. Upon opposite sides of diaphragm |09, gas chambers and ||2 are formed. 'I'he walls defining chamber ||2 are made of relatively good heat conducting material, such asV metal, and are enclosed by an outer casing or dome ||3, in such .a manner as to form an enveloping or jacketing space II4.

Gas from the outflow side of pilot valve seat |04 is received within a pocket ||6, and is caused to flow from this pocket into the jacketing space l I4, by way of passage |1. After flowing through space ||4, the gas is delivered to the outflow conduit I4, thru a passage ||8, and the tube vor pipe connection ||9. Chamber is likewise in communication with passage ||8, (and therefore in communication with outflow conduit '|4) thru the port or passage |2I.

Needle valves |22 and |23 serve 'to permit introduction of additional gas into chamber |l2, by way of ducts |24 and |26. Needle valve |21 serves to control venting of gas from chamber 2 to the atmosphere; thru ducts |28 and |29.

The connection between diaphragm |09 andA pilot valve member |06, has been represented in Fig. 4 as comprising spaced parallel rods |3|, having their upper ends connected to diaphragm |09, and having their lower ends secured to pilot valve member |06. 'Ihese Valves are slidably received in guide journals |32, which can be formed .within the lower body part |03.

When the pilot valve means of Figs. 3 to. 5 inclusive is incorporated in place of the pilot valve means of Fig. 1, operation of the device is substantially the same as that previously described. However exchange of heat between the outflow gas and the trapped gas in chamber 2, in this instance occurs chiefly by virtue of heat transfer thru the heat conducting walls of chamber ||2.

In addition to the characteristics of m'y invention which have previously been described, it will be noted that the invention makes possible the use of a simple poppet type main valve, with a single guide bearing for the valve stem. In gas regulators of tlie prior art complicated forms of balanced main valves have been utilized, but the degree of automatic regulation has not been effective as in my device, due to other inherent features making for poor regulation.

My invention has been illustrated in the drawings in a manner to facilitate explanation of the elements and operation involved, rather than to serve as a design for actual commercial manufacture. In adapting the invention for actual commercial manufacture, it may be mentioned that good results have been secured by making the flow restricting orifice 5| substantially larger than the lower orifice 49, and by making orifices 53 and 56 equivalent to an orifice substantially greater in diameter than either of the orifices 49 and 5|. For example in one practical embodiment, diaphragm 21 was about v18 inches in diameter, the volume of chamber 38 about 250 cubic inches and the volume of chamber 39 about 200 cubic inches, orifice 49 was about Tl; inch in diameter, orifice 5| about 1A; inch in diameter, and orifices 53 and 56 of such diameter as to be equivalent to a single orifice of about 1A inch in diameter.

It is apparent that my invention may be modifled in many respects within the scope of the appended claims. For example the device will function as a regulator, with various forms of pilot valve means substituted in place of the means described herein which takes the temperature of the gas into account. However I deem it desirable to utilize pilot valve means in which the pilot valve member will flutterat a relatively rapid rate. In addition to many conceivable modifications for the primary valve means, it may be pointed out that the flow restricting oriflce between `=chambers 38 and 39, may be an aperture formed directly through diaphragm 21, rather than by the use of orifices 53 and 56 as there being a gas passage communicating with one of said chambers and adapted to be vented to effect opening ofthe valve member, separate points of continuous communication between both of said chambers and the inflow side of the reguf lator, and an equalizing flow orifice communicating between said chambers. l

. 2. In a gas `ow regulating device, a hollow body having an inflow opening adapted to be connected to a source of gas under pressure and having an outflow opening adapted to be connected to a point of gas demand, orifice means for controlling flow of gas through s'aid body, said orifice means including a stationary seat and a movable cooperating valve member, and actuating means associated with said valve member, said actuating means including a diaphragm connected to the valve member, means forming gas chambers upon 'opposite sides of the diaphragm, there being a gas passage communicating with one of said chambers adapted to be Vented to eect opening of the valvev member,

separate points i. continuous communication between both of said chambers and the inow side of the regulator, and an equalizing ow orice communicating between said chambers.

3. -In a gas flow regulating device, a hollow body having an inflow opening adapted to be connected to a source of gas under pressure and having an outflow opening adapted to be connected to a point of gas demand, oriilce means associated with said body and adapted to control flow of gas to the same, said orifice means including a stationary seat and a cooperating movable valve member, and actuating means associated with said valve means, said actuating means including a flexible diaphragm connected to said valve member, and means forming gas lchambers upon opposite sides of the diaphragm, there being a. passage communicatingw with one of said chambers adapted to be vented, separate points of continuous restricted communication between both of said chambers and the inflow side of the regulator, and an equalizing ilow oriilce communicating between said chambers.

4. In a gas flow regulating device, a hollow body having an inflow opening adapted to be connected to a source of gas under pressure and having an outflow opening adapted to be connected to a point of gas demand, oriflce. means associated withsald body and adapted to control flow of gas through the same, said orifice means including a stationary seat and a cooperating movable valve member, actuating means associated with said valve member, said actuating means including a flexible diaphragm connected to said valve member, means forming a pair of opposed 'gas chambers separated by said flexible diaphragm, there being a gas passage communicating with one of said chambers adapted to be vented, means for establishing uninterrupted restricted communication between both of said chambers and the inflow side of the regulator for all operating positions of the valve member, and an equalizing flow orifice communicating between said chambers, and pilot valve means adapted to control venting o-f said passage.

5. In combination, a control unit comprising a casing, a diaphragm dividing the unit into two compartments. means for trapping gas under a predetermined pressure in one compartment, the pressure ofthe trapped gas in said one compartment serving as the sole means for urging said diaphragm in one direction, a conduit for conveying gas under pressure into the other compartment, a valve for closing the conduit and being operatively connected to .the diaphragm, said diaphragm opening the valve when the gas pressure in the first compartment is higher than in the second, said second compartment enveloping the first compartment, whereby the temperature of the iluidin the first compartment will be substantially the same as the temperature of the fluid in the second compartment.

6. In combination, a high pressure gas line, a low pressure gas line, a valve for controlling the flow of gas from the high pressure line into the low pressure line, a high pressure by-pass pipe communicating with the high pressure line, a diaphragm-controlled pilot valve for the bypass pipe, a compartment for trapping a gas at a low pressure, a diaphragm acted upon by the trapped gas and being connected to the pilot valve for opening it, gas-conveying means receiving the gas passing from the pilot valve and leading it around the compartment and then to the low pressure line, whereby the temperature of the gas flowing around the compartment causes the trapped gas to raise or lower to an equal temperature, and means actuated by the gas owing in the by-pass for operating the rst valve.

7. In combination, a compartment for trapping a gas under low pressure, a diaphragm having the pressure of the trapped gas active on one side, said trapped gas serving as the sole means for urging the diaphragm in one direction, a high pressure gas line, a valve for the line and being connected to the diaphragm so as to be opened by the pressure of the trapped gas, a low pressure line receiving the gas from the valve, a compartment disposed on the other side of the diaphragm, communications between the low pressure line and the second compartment for causing the pressure in the low pressure line to become active on the other side of theidiaphragm, said communications conveying the gas issuing from the valve, around the first compart.

ment for causing the temperature of the trapped gas to equal that in the low pressure line.

8. In combination, a valve housing, having a valve seat, a valve stem carrying a valve for closing upon the seat, said housing having an inlet for allowing gas under pressure to bear against said valve, said housing having a chamber, a diaphragm dividing the chamber into two compartments, said diaphragm operating the valve stem, means for delivering gas under pressure to both compartments, a control valve for regulating the escape of gas from one of the compartments, and a by-pass with a restricted orifice placing the compartments in communication with each other.

9. In combination, a control valve, a gas pressure actuated diaphragm for operating the valve, a by-pass for allowing the fluid from either side of the diaphragm to flow to the other side, a second diaphragm for closing the valve, means for delivering fluid under pressure against the second diaphragm and on opposite sides of the first diaphragm, a control valve for controlling'y the escape of gas from one side of the second diaphragm, the second diaphragm serving to actuate the control valve, a constant gas pressure active on one side of the second diaphragm, the gas escaping from the control valve being active on the other side of the second diaphragm.

10. In a gas flow regulating device adapted to have its inflow side connected to a source of gas under pressure and its outow side connected to a point of gas demand, automatic means for regulating the rate of flow in accordance with changes in the demand, and to supply gas to the outflow side at a substantially constant density, said means including means substantially independent of varying atmospheric .temperatures for modifying the regulating action in accordance 'with changes in the temperature of the gas.

11. In a gas flow regulator, a hollow body having an inflow opening adapted to be connected to a source of gas under pressure, and

having an outflow opening adapted to be connected to a point of gas demand, a movable valve member within the body for controlling flow of gas through the same, a flexible diaphragm operatively connected to the valve member, said body being formed to provide a sealed ,chamber containing trapped gas under pressure on one side of the diaphragm, said body being also formed to provide a chamber on the other side of the diaphragm which is in communication with outow side of the regulator, said ltrapped gas being in heat transferring relationgas due to variations'in temperature, will remain constant, and means serving to isolate said trapped gas with respect to temperature changes y of external atmosphere.

12. In a gas flow regulating device,a body having an inflow passage forconnection with a source of gas, the source of gas being subject to temperature variations and being under pressure, and also having' an outow passage for connection with a point of gas demand, a valve member movably mounted within the body and serving to control ow of gas through the same, a flexible heat conducting diaphragm operably connected to the valve member for moving the same, a sealed gas chamber formed on one side of the diaphragm, .said chamber being formed of heat conducting wall portions of the body, trapped gas under pressure within said chamber and serving as substantially the sole means for biasing the diaphragm in one direction to open the valve member, a gas chamber on the other side of the diaphragm having communication 'with the outflow side of the body, and heat insulation covering said heat conducting wall portions, thereby causing the .temperature of gas in said sealed chamber to assume substantially the same temperature as the temperature of the gas in the second chamber. v

, 13. In a gas flow regulating device, a body having an inflow passage for connection with a source of gas, said source of gas being subject to temperature variations and being underV pressure, said body also having an outilow passage for connection with a point of gas demand, a valve member movably mounted Within the body and serving to control flow of gas through the same,a flexible diaphragm operably connected Q to the valve member for moving the same, a sealed gas chamber formed on one side of the diaphragm, said chamber being formed by rigid heat conducting Wall portionsof the body, trapped gas under pressure within said chamber and serving as substantially the sole means for biasing the diaphragm in a direction to open the valve member, a gas chamber on the other side of the diaphragm and in communicationl with the outflow side of the body, and means for jacketing a substantial area of said wall portions with a stream of gas flowing through the body to the outow side of the same.

14. In a uid pressure regulator, a body hav" ing passages for inflow and' outow of uida valve member within the body and having. aV travel of movement in opposite directions be tween open and closed positions to control flow'v' of uidthrough the same, a exible diaphragm connected to the valve member for conjoint movementy with the same, a rigid wall extending substantially over one side of the diaphragm to form a confined fluid space between the wall and the diaphragm, an orifice of relatively small diameter serving to vent said space and serving to materially impede uid flow from said space, and means forming a fluid space upon the other side of the diaphragm, said latter iiuid space being relatively large compared to the first named fluid space and being vented to the outflow side of the regulator. n

l5. In a iiuid pressure regulator, a body hav--4 ing passages for inflow and outiiow of iiuid, a

valve memberjitoward open position, an orifice of relativelysmall diameter serving to vent said space and servingt'o materially impede fluid yiiow y from said space as vthe diaphragrrl.` fiexes Kjtonv move the valve toward closedposition,.anfdj means forming a. uid space upon the other side of the diaphragm, said latter uid space leaving the other side of the diaphragm unconned for the positions of the diaphragm corresponding to either closed or"'fu1l open position of the valve member, said last named space being vented to the outflow side of the regulator.

MARVIN H. GROVE. 

